National Green Tribunal: the specialised body for environmental disputes

Background

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established on 18.10.2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
It deals with cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources, including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property.
The Tribunal is mandated to make an endeavour for disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing.
New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting; Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are the other four places of sitting.
It is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but is guided by principles of natural justice; it is vested with the powers of a civil court under that Code for discharging its functions.